True recovery is about restoring your mind and body — and eating healthy takes full concentration and focus, which is hard to do in the midst of everything else happening in recovery. It may actually be the very last thing on people’s minds. The challenge is that people with addiction are often malnourished by the time help is sought after, making eating healthy critical for getting recovery on track from day one. Find out why it matters and how to get the ball rolling for the long haul.
Good Eats
Even if the damage is already done in some parts of a person’s life following addiction, health does not have to follow the same path. Good nutrition can go a long way toward repairing damage to tissues, organs, and the brain’s reward centers. Further proof of nutrition’s powerful role in recovery is that many rehab centers have begun offering nutritional counseling and cooking classes in an effort to boost people’s health and fitness in recovery. It is not uncommon for a person to reach recovery only to develop cross addictions to ‘hyper palatable’ or sugary, fatty, salty foods. Unhealthy food can be as damaging as drugs or alcohol, lead to weight gain, and increase risk for:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Low self-esteem and confidence
Finding good food is not the only answer. It often means a total overhaul of how a person perceives food, diet, nutrition, and cooking.
Tips to Eating Healthy
Even if a nutritionist or dietician can identify what a person’s body needs, following the guidelines below can also be a good way to move forward in recovery while rebuilding health one step at a time:
- Stay hydrated. Drink water, avoid soda, and caffeinated drinks. Water can flush out toxins while aiding in digestion and healing.
- Eat a healthy breakfast. Stay away from sugary foods early in the morning. Eat oatmeal, grain toast, avocado, and fresh fruits for the best brain boost to start the day.
- Get your fiber. Fiber is your friend. Foods like brown rice, black beans, peas, and pears can help the body eliminate toxins and support digestion.
- Choose healthy fats. The body needs cellular repair following addiction. Choose good fats like olive oil, flaxseed oil, and omega-3s (think fish and nuts).
When adding healthy foods to the body and mind, it can lead to increased positive mood, outlook on life, and other mental health aspects aside from physically increasing stamina and health. When committing to healthy living through nutritional choices, it can lead to better choices in all areas of your life.
Serenity Oaks provides an intensive 5 week program to support your sobriety and recovery from addiction. We provide medical support, detox, and other help such as building life skills. Through individualized programs we help you move forward in recovery. Call us to find out how we can help you get started: 844-720-6847.
